St. Pius X Family Day 2019

06th January 2019, the feast of the Epiphany, will be a day fondly remembered by the entire community of St Pius X Seminary and their families. This day brought together the Bombay seminarians along with their parents, siblings and relatives for a day of prayer, fun and fellowship.This Family Day was also special as it included the wives and family members of the Candidates for Permanent Diaconate, also called the CPD's, who support these men in their vocation towards the Permanent Diaconate.

The day commenced with the Eucharist celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias. In his homily His Eminence spoke about the gifts presented by the Magi to the Infant Lord and how the families of the seminarians have also done the same by offering their son or brother or husband in the service of the Lord. He also thanked them for the sacrifice they have made. The mass was followed by a cultural program put up by the Bombay seminarians.

Three seminarians and One Candidate for the Permanent Diaconate spoke about the role that their family has played in fostering and supporting their vocation. These speeches were interspersed with a presentation about the life of a seminarian in the seminary followed by songs sung in Hindi and English, showing their love and appreciation to the families. Fr Aniceto Pereira, the Rector who conceived the idea of the Family Day, thanked the families for being present for the program and the Cardinal for making time amidst his busy schedule to come and meet the families and also celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

It is true that each individual has a vocation but this also needs the collaboration of the individuals' near and dear ones. This Family Day was a celebration and a thanksgiving for the love and support given by the families to the seminarians and the CPD’s.

Br. Keith Miranda

2nd Year Philosophy